UNEP-GEF Project “Development of a Plan for Global Monitoring of Human Exposure to and Environmental Concentrations of Mercury” - Progress Report

This technical progress report documents the work undertaken by the National Research Council Institute of Atmospheric Pollution Research between December 2014 and June 2018 to implement the air component of a Global Environment Facility funded project on monitoring human exposure and environmental concentrations of mercury. It outlines the development of passive air sampling methods, harmonised sampling and analytical protocols, and coordinated monitoring campaigns across global stations. The report describes integration with an existing global monitoring network, application of standard operating procedures, and use of quality assurance and control systems to ensure comparability of data. It presents results from pilot studies and intercomparison exercises, demonstrating consistency between measurement techniques and identifying spatial and seasonal variations in atmospheric mercury concentrations.